RealtyTrac, a California firm that tracks mortgage defaults, said the number of filings in the state surged 59.7 percent in October compared to the same month in 2006. Last month's figure was up 75 percent from September.

RealtyTrac counted 829 filings across the state in October, meaning there was one filing for every 2,512 Alabama households. The U.S. average is one in 555 households. Alabama ranked No. 38 among the states based on the filing rate.

Nationwide, filings rose 94 percent in October from the prior-year and 2 percent from the previous month.

The gain in Alabama comes after signs that foreclosure activity was easing. In September, Alabama filings dropped 11 percent compared to the same month in 2006, RealtyTrac said.